Advising is available to DNS undergraduates at the Division, College, and University level. The DNS Office of Student Services, faculty members, and College and University advising offices work closely together to be sure that students’ academic and major advising needs are met. Current students may make an appointment with DNS Office of Student Services or visit our weekly drop-in hours.

Understanding and using available advising resources is an important component of success during and beyond an undergraduate career. For detailed advising information, visit our page of academic and career advising resources for DNS undergraduates.

Even if you are not pursuing any of the majors offered by the Division of Nutritional Sciences, you may still minor in Nutrition and Health or Global Health. A minor track in Applied Exercise Science also is available to DNS majors (ONLY). Contact dnsstudentservices@cornell.edu for information.

For undergraduates interested in pursuing dietetics, Cornell University offers a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). Until 2023, completing this program, as well as supervised practice—typically through the Dietetic Internship (DI)—will allow you to take the Registered Dietitian exam, which is the most widely held credential of nutrition practitioners. Beginning in 2024, you will need to complete a master’s degree, as well as supervised practice, as a prerequisite for taking the R.D. exam.

The DPD is a program, not a major, and as such you may complete DPD coursework with any major. DPD coursework fits best, however, with majors in the Division of Nutritional Sciences.

For more information, contact the DPD at dpd@cornell.edu

"Dietetics students are encouraged to explore dietetics through summer internships and field experiences. Such experiences can highlight the wide range of opportunities in dietetics, including research, sports, public health, management and clinical Registered Dietitian roles. The Dietetics programs at Cornell, including the DPD and graduate Dietetic Internship with Ph.D. and M.S. options, prepare graduates to be leaders in the field."  
– Emily Gier, Dietetics Program Leader & DI Director

Courses offered by NS can be found either via the current Cornell online Courses of Study (ACALOG) or via the Cornell University Registrar's current Class Roster. For major requirements, students should either visit the College of Human Ecology Registrar's requirements page or the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Registrar's requirements page.

Courses offered by the Division of Nutritional Sciences include:

• Global Perspectives on Human and Health
• Epidemiology and Public Health
• Food Quality
• Human Health and Nutrition
• Nutritional Biochemistry
• Psychological and Social Influences on Human Nutrition

The Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell does not offer degrees online, but we do offer courses online, via Cornell University’s Continuing Education Program (summer or winter sessions).

Courses are available at the Expanding Nutrition Frontiers web site, however, these courses are geared towards allowing professionals already working in the field to earn Professional Continuing Education Units (CPEUs); students cannot get Cornell credit for them. CPEUs are required of professionals working in the field in order to maintain their registration status as a Registered Dietitian.

For additional online course resources, you could also check the following:

• Cornell Cooperative Extension  
• eCornell

DNS students participate in a range of study programs away from Cornell’s Ithaca campus. Our students have studied abroad in many countries, including Italy, Australia, England, Israel, Spain, and Denmark. Many DNS majors participate in Cornell in Washington. 

To get started, browse programs through the Office of Global Learning and consult with your academic advisor.

Search the Cornell Outcomes Dashboard for up-to-date information about where DNS majors end up. About 40-50% of Human Biology, Health and Society (HBHS) major and 10-20% of Nutritional Sciences (NS) major graduates plan to attend medical school and other health profession schools including dental, nursing, and physical therapy.  About 30% of NS graduates plan to complete dietetic internships.  About 10-20% of seniors intend to go to graduate programs in many different fields and others enter the job market in areas as diverse as banking and the Peace Corps.